New fixed ropes installed on the Matterhorn

12/06/2014

Like every year, Zermatt’s mountain guides have attached new fixed ropes in the upper section of the Matterhorn. The safe ascent from the ‘Matterhorn Base Camp’ is now guaranteed, just in time for the summer season.

With the Hörnlihütte closed for renovation throughout the summer 2014, the ‘Matterhorn Base Camp’ will be set up as an alternative accommodation facility at the end of June 2014. It will be open from 15th July to 15th September. The Hörnlihütte will re-open in July 2015 on the occasion the 150th anniversary of the first Matterhorn ascent.

Fixed ropes guarantee safety

The fixed ropes are attached in the section between 4,250 and 4,300 m below the peak of the Matterhorn (4,478 m). They make the ascent safer for all Alpinists who choose the Hörnligrat route.

According to the online portal 1815.ch, mountain guides Kurt Lauber (warden of the Hörnlihütte), Urs Lerjen, Richard Lehner und Thomas Zumtaugwald took on the complex job of attaching the fixed ropes on Monday and Tuesday, 9 and 10 June on behalf of the Alpin Center Zermatt. The guides and ropes were flown to the area of operation by Air Zermatt.

This year was, however, exceptional: All of the fixed ropes were replaced in preparation of the 150th anniversary of the first Matterhorn ascent.